COMPARATIVE HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF 3 PHYLLANTHUS SPECIES, PHYLLANTHUS-URINARIA, PHYLLANTHUS-NIRURI AND PHYLLANTHUS-SIMPLEX, ON CARBON-TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED LIVER-INJURY IN THE RAT

The effect of alcohol extracts of three Phyllanthus species was compar ed on carbon tetrachloride-induced (chronic) hepatic damage in rats. A lcohol extracts of P. niruri, P. urinaria and P. simplex were administ ered orally at three different doses. Statistically significant revers al of the elevated serum levels of transaminases (GOT and GPT) were us ed as the biochemical indices for hepatoprotection. The results of the study indicated that only the extracts of P. niruri and P. urinaria a fforded protection of liver in the chronic model. The hepatoprotective activity of P. urinaria is about 60% in comparison with P. niruri. Th erefore, P. urinaria may be considered as a good substitute for P. nir uri in cases of liver disorders in actual practice.